What two important civil rights actions occurred during eisenhowerʼs presidency?

What Two Important Civil Rights Actions Occurred During Eisenhower’s Presidency?

Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, served from 1953 to 1961. While his presidency is often associated with the Cold War and the Korean War, Eisenhower also played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s civil rights landscape. Two significant civil rights actions that occurred during his presidency are the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision and the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

In 1954, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which ruled that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. This decision marked a major turning point in the struggle for racial equality, as it declared that "separate but equal" was unconstitutional and paved the way for further civil rights advancements.

The Background

The Brown v. Board of Education case began in 1951, when a group of African American parents in Topeka, Kansas, led by Oliver Brown, filed a lawsuit against the Board of Education. They argued that the segregation of public schools was unconstitutional, citing the 14th Amendment‘s guarantee of equal protection under the law.

The Ruling

On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the African American parents, declaring that "separate but equal" was a violation of the 14th Amendment. The decision was written by Chief Justice Earl Warren, who was appointed by Eisenhower in 1953. The Court’s ruling was unanimous, with all nine justices agreeing that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

Consequences

The Brown v. Board of Education decision had far-reaching consequences, leading to:

• Increased activism: The ruling emboldened civil rights activists, who began to challenge segregation in other areas, such as voting rights, employment, and public accommodations.
• Legislative changes: Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, which established the Civil Rights Commission and authorized the Attorney General to investigate civil rights violations.
• Integration: The decision paved the way for the desegregation of public schools, colleges, and universities across the United States.

Civil Rights Act of 1957

In 1957, Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, which was the first federal civil rights legislation passed since the Reconstruction Era. The act aimed to:

• Protect voting rights: The act authorized the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute voter intimidation and fraud.
• Establish the Civil Rights Commission: The act created the Civil Rights Commission, which was tasked with investigating and reporting on civil rights violations.
• Improve access to public accommodations: The act prohibited the denial of public accommodations, such as restaurants, hotels, and restrooms, based on race, religion, or national origin.

Key Provisions

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 included the following key provisions:

• Voting Rights Act: The act authorized the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute voter intimidation and fraud.
• Civil Rights Commission: The act established the Civil Rights Commission, which was tasked with investigating and reporting on civil rights violations.
• Public Accommodations: The act prohibited the denial of public accommodations, such as restaurants, hotels, and restrooms, based on race, religion, or national origin.

Significance

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was a significant step forward in the struggle for civil rights, as it:

• Established a federal presence: The act marked the first time that the federal government had intervened in the civil rights movement.
• Provided legal protections: The act provided legal protections for individuals and groups seeking to exercise their civil rights.
• Laid the groundwork: The act laid the groundwork for future civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Conclusion

During his presidency, Eisenhower oversaw two significant civil rights actions: the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision and the Civil Rights Act of 1957. These actions marked a major turning point in the struggle for racial equality and paved the way for future civil rights advancements. By addressing segregation in public education and establishing legal protections for civil rights, Eisenhower helped to lay the groundwork for a more just and equal society.

Timeline:

Key Players:

Sources:

• "Brown v. Board of Education" (Oyez)
• "Civil Rights Act of 1957" (National Archives)
• "The Civil Rights Movement" (PBS)